Tag: Food

Time has run away from me but 17 days in and I am still sugar-free. It has become much easier as the days have gone by and the toll its taken my body has not been too bad. I don’t think I have lost weight (I never weighed myself previous to starting so have no idea anyway!), but this is not my goal. I am pretty body confident for now (I grew a baby for fuck’s sake – I am a super woman!). My aim is to cut the addiction, and I think I am doing well. I have had one cheat so far: 1 sugar added to my tea one evening last week. It was quite weak of me but I was feeling a bit peaky and this sorted me right out. I will not feel sorry for that. I feel stronger than ever.

I was really tested on Tuesday when I went to the cinema to watch Split as I love popcorn so much (I regularly make my own at home) and of course I always pick sweet. After oohing and aahing about whether I could just have a little bit, I chose to stick with a bottle of water instead. I can’t wait to have sweet popcorn when this month is over.

I have given up counting the sugar withdrawal symptoms, as many of them can be symptoms of other lifestyle choices. Now that I am feeling less addicted and more optimistic, I am relaxed (and making sugar-free banana muffins until they come out of my ears!)

Approx. 12 Banana Breakfast Muffins:

Pre-heat the oven to 180 degrees (fan oven). Sift the flour and add the spices. Rub the butter into the flour until the mixture looks like breadcrumbs. Stir in the sultanas and make a well in the middle of the mixture. In a separate bowl, mash the bananas and stir in the beaten eggs. Pour the banana mixture into the flour mixture and gently fold in.

Add the mixture to a muffin tin (remember to grease it first!). Turn the oven down and bake the muffins at 160 degrees. for approx. 45 minutes or until done (check by inserting a skewer – must come out clean).

Serve as dessert with natural yogurt or as a quick on the go breakfast. You can also add the mixture to a loaf tin to make one Banana loaf cake. Boom.

Thank Fuck it’s Friday. My 2 hour commute is really starting to take it’s toll. I’m grateful it only happens 3 days a week but I am exhausted! I’ve noticed today (Day 3: No Sugar) that some of the withdrawal symptoms are starting to show up.

When we eat sugary foods, our bodies release serotonin and beta-endorphin. These are neurotransmitters that improve our mood, and ease anxiety. It’s a feel good buzz that our bodies crave over and over again. Removing sugar from my diet will also remove those cravings.

Firstly I’m shattered. Fall asleep whilst on the train shattered (unusually I was able to actually get a seat). That hasn’t happened in a long time. The second thing I’ve noticed is the strange dreams. I’ve experienced a few over the last couple of nights and they are weird even by my standards. I guess now that they are showing up, this is where I may start to crack.

Today we had a birthday in the office, which means…cake! Well for everyone except me that is. But It’s ok. I still don’t need cake. I deliberately filled myself up with my own antipasti cheese and meats. And humous (one of my favourite things). Just so I wouldn’t even be tempted. I wasn’t. I am still cake free.

I rediscovered As Nature Intended too whilst trying to track down Rice Malt Syrup (no such luck) and forgot how much good stuff they have. Raw Chocolate Mulberrys anyone? It’s a great place to stock up organic, wholesome goodness so I found myself some treats to scoff whilst everyone else ate cake!

I am getting in to the swing of this now. I might even…dum….dum…dum bake something…watch this space!

Feb is here and I’m finally cracking on with my New Year’s resolution: to give up sugar (for at least a month). Anyone who knows me will tell you this is no mean feat.

Remember asking “what’s for tea?” and being told “shit with sugar on…” it’s not quite so literal but it’s still kind of true.

Yes I am one of the worst eaters I know. I skip lunch (and sometimes breakfast), eat cereal for dinner and drink tea and coffee all day long. I never used to have such a sweet tooth but I got the craving for sugar whilst pregnant and it’s never really gone away.

I know it’s bad for me but I eat sugary treats to relax. I get the same endorphin high I used to get from exercise. Once upon a time, I used to train four evenings a week just for fun and cycle the fuck out of my Sunday morning hangovers at ‘double spinning’. These days my evenings involve curling up on the sofa with Game of Thrones, a bowl of cheerios and an entire packet of custard creams! Oh yes, I am living the dream.

Bloggers, Celebrities and Health food extraordinaires worldwide are promoting and praising the benefits of a sugar free lifestyle.

Sarah Wilson and Ella Woodward are currently two of the ‘low to no sugar’ lifestyles biggest advocates. Both offering best selling books and blogs. I’ve been avidly reading both over the last few weeks. I’m not educated enough to give up all sugar. There are loads of different names for sugar and it’s hidden in everything

I don’t believe in fad diets, I truly believe it’s all about balance and moderation. However time is short and it’s not so easy fitting in a spin class between work and toddler bed time, so I’m giving this one a try. I’m reconnecting with the ‘old’ me and making room for this ‘new’ one (well an improved version). It’s time to get off this chocolate see-saw before my teeth fall out! Wish me luck.

Day 1: My resolve is strong 💪🏻 I managed to enjoy my morning coffee sugar free. This was my biggest concern as I love a sweet coffee but today was a good day. As they say on the Eurovision Song Contest: Sugar: nil point.

It’s been a while since BV found a new favourite book. We picked up this beauty recently on a friends recommendation.

Thanks to childrens movies and The Elf on the Shelf company, a lot of children believe their toys come to life at night. I have to admit, I was never one of those children. Too much of a cynic I guess? Or maybe the result of having older siblings determined to always have the upper hand? I hope that my son grows into his childhood with this ability to just believe. Who knew that the buck did not just stop at toys though? Who the hell knew that fruit comes to life too?! Wowzers.

Written by Clare Foges and Al Murphy, Kitchen Disco is a silly story about what happens when the sun goes down and the fruit bowl comes alive. Clare Foges’ eccentric tale begins, when most days are ending, as the family go to bed.
As soon as the house is quiet and the occupants are asleep, the fruit wake up and get their groove on. The Pineapple high fives his friends, the lemons break dance and the melon dances with a grape (obvs!). You just can’t help but bop along too.

Of course this is made even more silly by the colourful illustrations. Thank you Al Murphy.
The pages are themselves, alive with colour as the fruit throw shapes across the pages. The beautiful holographic illustrations pop right out of the book. They really do bring the fruit alive.

My toddler has a fondness for the absurd, and this really brings out the fun side of storytelling. Its perfect for our pre-bed rap. Yes, we do that.

Kitchen Disco brings a smile to both our faces and a bit more personality to BV’s bookshelf. Clearly one of the funniest and most colourful books we have discovered in a while, and it’s now a firm favourite.
So listen closely as you go to sleep tonight and you might just hear your fruits answer to Fatboy Slim (Fatboy skin?) as they get up and then get down….

I would never usually write about somewhere this close to my home, but in this case, I can’t not. Living in Suburbia has taken its toll. I’m no longer down with the kids, and although Surbiton is rich in delicious, independent cafes, it’s also rich in big branded restaurants, (everything you expect from a family friendly ‘burb). I’m not a fan of the big brand and I have been struggling to find anywhere to call my local. Surbiton is designed for families and whereas I do really appreciate this, (I’m a proud owner of one little monster), how fucking amazing is it to go somewhere that’s just that bit too cool for the kids? I’m not a Pizza Express kind of girl, and it’s great that Surbiton finally has a fresh alternative for us Suburbitons, fighting the stereotype.

Tapa literally means ‘cover’ or ‘lid’. In the beginning there were olives, almonds fried in oil and sprinkled with salt, and chunks of bread served with an olive oil dip. These are the original tapas. Simple foods, requiring little or no preparation. As the tradition evolved, tapas became more of a gastronomic event, with each new venue developing their own specialties.

Tapas, is based on simple recipes and the imaginative use of seasonal vegetables and local ingredients. The concept of tapas is to share. It is essentially a style of eating rather than a method of cooking.

Tapas (or one tapa) can be whatever you want. It is very popular in Spanish culture, the Spanish traditionally don’t drink without eating something, and originally these small snacks were given free as an accompaniment to a bought drink. Tapas can also be dinner with friends too. That’s the beauty of it. You can order as little or as much as you want. It can be kept simple or be made more complicated. It can be a small snack taken with a drink or two at lunchtime, an appetiser in the early evening before the main meal, or even as nibbles with a post-dinner cocktail. Whichever way you prefer it, I prefer mine best served with a gin cocktail amongst great company and a lovely atmosphere. Let me introduce you to this little beauty, Number NinetySeven

Tapas at N.97 is hearty and unpretentious. The ingredients are fresh, flavours are robust and the presentation is simple. In it’s own words “innovation and buzz of the city meets the openness and warmth of the country”. N.97 is a breath of fresh air and just what my corner of Suburbia needed. Oh yeah, and did I mention it has a Gin bar? It’s hip, sleek and perfectly cutting edge. My kinda cool.

I remember when street food in London meant a ’99 for less than a quid or a greasy hot dog from Billy Bunters.

Spitalfields Market has become an area where many people pay top bucks for lunch, and the market is responding with much more choice. The Billy Bunter’s of yesterday, have been replaced by passion and talent, serving cuisines from all over the world. Working from vans, converted buses, caravans and yes, even an old train!

The ingredients are of a higher calibre and the dishes are undeniably healthier. Trendy street food has inevitably, become well, even more trendy.

Street food begun in communities where businesses with minimal start up and running costs thrived selling cheap, hot food to people on low incomes. Starting as regeneration, it’s ironic now that hip, street food is generally only available to those that don’t need much change from a tenner.

I’m spoilt for choice, come lunch time. In all the years I’ve worked around here, Spitalfields has never smelt so good! It’s time to write about Duck.

Founders (Ed and Vernon), have spent years working with some of the best duck farms in the UK and have developed the best duck recipes, and cooking techniques. The result is TheDuck Truck.

Rotisserie cooked, hand shredded crispy aromatic duck, with freshly shredded cucumber and spring onion, sweet hoisin sauce, and wrapped in a warm tortilla wrap or served as a salad. Tasty as Fuck, Duck

It sits there, stationary, all iridescent Reflecting London, incandescentThe queue is long and time moves slow.One crispy duck wrap, fresh to goOMG the duck is freakin’I queue again (my resolve is weakenin’)Just one more, crispy duck wrapThe Original, the Best, and it’s on the map!

Growing up, I was such a fussy eater. I know I caused my mum endless embarrassment. Like when my dad regularly ordered “6 ’99’s’ and an ice lolly ” from the ice cream van… I just really didn’t like ice cream (grew out of that phase, thank God), and our treat from the Chippy on holiday, “6 fish and chips, and a small ‘just chips’, no salt and vinegar on the ‘just chips’…” (obviously). My poor mum had to deal with all of the judgy strangers who convinced themselves I was being punished (“Poor kid-not getting a 99….”). Awkward.

My friends used to joke that if it had any flavour whatsoever, I wouldn’t like it, and to be honest, they were always right. Travelling the world has fixed me, so to speak. There are still many foods I have yet to ‘learn to like’ (Tuna – bleurgh!) but my taste buds are pretty much open for business these days.

An Ethiopian friend introduced me to Ethiopian and Eritrean food a long time ago. It’s one of my favourite cuisines. In Ethiopia, mealtimes are big, happy social occasions, even during times of woe and hostility.
It’s an exciting cuisine, and it’s not meant to be eaten alone. Traditionally served on a communal platter, it’s ideal for sharing, and Injera is it’s foundation. Eat with your hands! Yummy!

(Omg, just writing this is making me foam at the mouth. I love Ethiopian food!)

Injera is made from an ancient grain known as teff. It’s ground into flour, made into a batter, slightly fermented, and then fried on a heavy skillet. The result is a spongy and lightly sour pancake.

Ethiopia is one of the worlds largest producers of live stock. Great for meat eaters, as the traditional meat dishes are delicious too. Just double up your injera as cutlery and tuck in.

I’m not a vegetarian, but what most people don’t know, is that Ethiopia also produces some of the best vegetarian food in the world. (Yep all true).

On that note let me by introduce a little gem I discovered recently:

…(drum roll please)…. Merkamo Ethiopian

An hour to chill and procrastinate?Head to Merkamo for the Injera Plate Vegan and healthy and packing a punch Perfect for those looking for lunch Professionals, students, tourists too Follow the hipsters and join the queue Greeted warmly with a great big smile That alone, makes it worth all the while Find them in Spitalfields, the bright green stand The best Ethiopian food in the land.

Merkamo Ethiopian is A-Maz-Ing! The food is packed full of flavour and they’ve actually made Vegan food appealing!